Rjohn Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 At the Frag Swap yesterday, someone was telling me about losing most of his fish. He said it was due to poisons thrown off by Texas Trash palys when he scraped some off his overflow. Has anyone else had an issue like this? I have some on an island and they don't seem to be spreading much. I included a picture. Can someone verify that these are trash palys? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 They look like trash palys to me Rjohn. While there isn't really a database of which types of zoas or palys have toxins or not, from other reefer's experiences over the last couple of years with this particular one, I think the evidence points to them releasing amounts of palytoxins when stressed or disturbed. Sent via Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestep Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 Texas trash is just an ambiguous name for most any less-colorful green or brown paly's. There's probably a hundred different ones I've seen using the name. As far as poisoning the tank, it's definitely possible. Some paly's contain palytoxin which is extremely poisonous. I believe it's the second most toxic naturally occurring substance ever found, or something in that realm. But not all of them have it and the only way to know would be to have a very specialized lab test them. Best bet is to be very careful around any zoas and palys if you are fragging or doing anything that might damage them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesL Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 That was me you were talking to, and yes those look exactly like mine. They have spread over rocks, and climbed onto my filter box. I highly suspect they were the cause of my massive fish loss, because that was the only thing I touched in the tank the day before the loss. I had taken out the filter box to scrape the palys off since they were blocking the intake ports. I scrapped them off, and rinsed the box off a few times with tap water. There were a few left on the box when I put it back in. The next morning 2 tangs, dwarf angel, and 2 damsels were all dead. The corals, inverts, and 3 fish were still alive (the fish were breathing heavy). I did a few water changes, replaced the carbon, and things have been fine since. So, while I don't have 100% proof they were the cause, it is probably likely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluemoon Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 (edited) I have the exact same type of trash palys, as well as the greener looking ones. They release a slime that contains a toxin not only to fish, but to us too. Be careful handling them with out gloves if you have any open cuts. I've disturbed, and scraped quite a few. Every time i do, i make sure to run carbon and do a water change afterwards. knock on wood i haven't had any bad luck yet, but im always worried when messing with them that something similar to james scenario will happen. ( sorry to hear that man, friggin sucks) don't be fooled! If they look like they're on an island now, they won't be long...they fly transcontinental! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Edited October 20, 2014 by Bluemoon 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timfish Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 I've had problems a couple of times with a paly that is distinctly bluer than the picture you posted. Having some that look very much like yours I'm pretty sure the one I've had problems with is a separate variety. Unlike JamesL's experience I've only lost other corals when the palys excreted a lot of slime and not had any fish loss associated with them. Here's a study that looks at paly toxin, it is the second most deadly "non-protein" toxin known: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0018235 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rjohn Posted October 20, 2014 Author Share Posted October 20, 2014 I think I may pitch the rock out in the field next door. I don't think this is a welcome addition and longer as it was a rider on something else anyway. Thanks for the ID and advice, guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rjohn Posted October 20, 2014 Author Share Posted October 20, 2014 For sale: 1 rock covered with lovely blue palys 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bpb Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 Friend of mine in Houston lost massive amounts of acros in the immediate days following large amount of trash paly removal and trimming, while not running carbon. He fragged off the remaining tips and moved them to another tank and they're growing fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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